Mineral Fire Update (07-19-12)

CAÑON CITY, Colo. – The Mineral Fire that began in Custer County Wednesday is nearly contained. Firefighting resources remained on scene overnight and will work on the fire throughout today, Thursday. The lightning-caused fire has burned 0.8 acres of Bureau of Land Management land.

Wednesday a Single Engine Airtanker dropped three loads of retardant and a helicopter performed several water bucket drops to slow the flames.

Four engines from the Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service along with resources from the Wetmore and Florence Fire Departments, and Fremont and Custer counties reported to the scene Wednesday afternoon.

The fire is burning in a remote area and no roads or structures are threatened.

The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land, the most of any Federal agency. This land, known as the National System of Public Lands, is primarily located in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. The BLM's mission is to manage and conserve the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations under our mandate of multiple-use and sustained yield. In Fiscal Year 2014, the BLM generated $5.2 billion in receipts from public lands.